Aneelah Atiyatul Hayee Kauser, USA
René Descartes argued that since he, an imperfect being, could think of God as a perfect being, God must have put the thought in his head, proving that God exists. Because how could an imperfect being imagine a perfect being? However, his argument is weak since it implies that God reacts to humans by making true whatever “perfect thing” they can conceive of, and even the word perfect is subjective.
Philosophers have been trying to prove God’s existence for centuries, but they haven’t had much success. However, in the book Ten Proofs of the Existence of God by Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra, Khalifatul Masih II, he gives us ten clear proofs of how we know that God must exist.
Global belief in God
People from different nations all around the world believed in one God. How is it possible that various places that had no interaction or communication came to the same conclusion that there is a God who created the universe? They might have differed on some details, but the main idea remained the same from India to China to England. Thus, there must be some truth or logic to the belief that led to the belief that there is a God. (Ten Proofs of the Existence of God, pp. 7-11)
Testimony of the righteous
When people like the Prophet Abrahamas and Prophet Jesusas claim there is one God, and we know that they are good people through their character and conduct, then why do we choose to listen to uninformed people whose integrity cannot be compared with the former? There are examples of such pious people all over the world: Krishnaas from India, Mosesas from Egypt, Nanakrh from Punjab and Muhammadsa from Arabia.
People claim there is a city named London, and we accept this truth. Travellers say that Siberia is vastly uninhabited, and we don’t deny this. Why? Because numerous people gave testimony to these facts. But when countless righteous people provide testimony to the existence of God, why do we not listen? (Ibid., pp. 11-17)
Inherent dislike for harmful things
There are some things that humans naturally avoid, such as having a sexual relationship with one’s parents, lying, or touching urine. Why do atheists inherently avoid these things if there is no God?
This is my favourite proof because it highlights the unconscious, internal fear we all have of God. If there is truly no higher being, as some people say, then why do we avoid these things? If there is no God to send us to hell, then why do we not commit murder or touch urine? The answer is that God has given humans a natural inclination to avoid such things because they will harm us and others. (Ibid., pp. 17-19)
Purpose of life
Everything has a creator, so why not the universe? Everything in the world has a creator and a purpose. Someone made my purse, and its purpose is to hold my things. Someone manufactured my car, and its purpose is to take me from place to place. Thus, God created this world and created us, and our purpose is to worship Him. (Ibid., pp. 19-22)
Universe by design
Everything has a system of design, so someone must have designed the universe. It makes too much sense how everything connects. There’s oxygen in the air, and we have lungs and nostrils to take it in. Lions eat meat and have the teeth and claws to hunt. Horses eat grass and are given necks to bend down to pick at it. Did all of this happen arbitrarily?
Scientists claim that the universe was made by chance, but even if there was a painting with colours splashed onto it, there was an artist who created it. When we see a beautiful sculpture, we recognise that it has been produced by a skilled artist. When we read a fine piece of literature, we can tell a distinguished writer has written it. But when seeing such a thought-out, magnificent world, people tend to forget its creator. (Ibid., pp. 22-28)
Disbelievers are punished
Disbelievers have always been punished. God always brings victory for the Believers while their opposition is met with disgrace and humiliation. This happened to the Pharaoh when he didn’t listen to Moses’as message. God brought disgrace on him in this life as well as in the hereafter. (Ibid., pp. 28-29)
Ultimate victory for believers
Those who believe and have faith in God always excel. People who have been commissioned to spread the message of God have always faced hardships, but God makes them prevail. The Pharaoh, who had forced the Israelites to make mud bricks, was defeated and drowned, while Moses became victorious. Even Jesus’as enemies were destroyed, and his followers became the rulers of other countries. The Prophet Muhammadsa excelled above all others while spreading the message that there is One God. (Ibid., pp. 29-31)
Acceptance of prayers
Throughout the ages, prayers have been accepted, proving there must be a Being to accept them. People who adopt righteousness always find that their needs are fulfilled through the power of prayer, and this is conclusive proof that someone listen to those prayers and has the power to accept them. (Ibid., pp. 31-33)
Revelation and fulfilment of prophecies
Prophecies have been fulfilled in the Holy Quran. The Quran alludes to many advancements that have only come into existence today. For example, there’s a verse saying a time will come when camels will be made redundant. (Surah at-Takwir, Ch.81: V.5) This came true when camels were no longer utilised, and the railway was invented.
Another verse is about the time when books are spread abroad. (Surah at-Takwir, Ch.81: V.11) First, the printing press and now, because of technology like phones and computers, books are available to an extent that was never possible before.
Another prophecy was fulfilled when people were brought together (Surah at-Takwir, Ch.81: V.8), highlighting the advancements of communication in this age.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, once confronted a Christian named Alexander Dowie, who had slandered Islam. Hazrat Ahmadas prayed for Dowie’s lies to be exposed. Dowie had lived the life of a prince and possessed millions, but he was soon deserted by his family, struck by paralysis, and lost his mind to grief. Finally, he died in 1907, exactly as God had revealed to Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas. (Ibid., pp. 33-43)
Allah helps those who beg Him
Anyone who denies the existence of God should bear in mind that if He does exist, it places them in a great predicament. And if there is a sincere desire in the hearts of some people to discover the truth, they should prostrate before God with full fervour and ask Him for guidance. God will never turn away from those who beg him for aid as long as they have pure hearts. (Ibid., pp. 43-45)